ABUJA – THE Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC, said yesterday that, contrary to reports in the media, its managing director, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, was not quarantined over a possible coronavirus infection.
Instead, the agency said that Ihekweazu, who had just returned from a trip to China, had chosen self-isolation for 14 days, as recommended in the NCDC public health advisory, that travelers from countries with continuous transmission of COVID-19 carry out self-isolation for 14 days, whether it is good or not. A statement released to journalists by the agency’s communications unit in Abuja on Tuesday said the CEO, who was part of a high-level delegation deployed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to take notes from China, only if it was wise to self-isolate for 14 days as recommended by his own agency to travelers from infected countries.
They added that the DG on his arrival in Nigeria had a negative result for the coronavirus but had decided to practice what he had asked other international travelers to do once they returned to the country, that they were infected or not with the virus. The statement reads: “The Nigeria Center for Disease Control is aware of media reports that the managing director, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, is in” quarantine for the coronavirus “.
It’s wrong. “Between February 16 and 24, 2020, the World Health Organization deployed a high-level mission to China. The joint mission included 25 national and international experts, including the director general of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu.
He also made it known via his Twitter account. “The Mission met with counterparts in China to understand their response to COVID-19 and how the global community can learn from it. As recommended in the NCDC public health advisory, travelers from countries where COVID-19 transmission is in progress are advised to self-isolate for 14 days, good or bad. ” The CEO respected that, to protect himself and the public. He has been tested since his return and has shown no symptoms of COVID-19 infection. He remains in good health.
“The Honorable Minister of Health is very proud of the contribution of Dr. Ihekweazu, which reflects the high level recognition and respect of the global health community for Nigeria.”
